Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Review

Results you may expect from using Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant:

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
Water
6.1
2,3-Butanediol
6
Mandelic Acid
2
Lactic Acid
1.9
Sodium Hydroxide
1.5
Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract
1.3
Akebia Quinata Stem Extract
1
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
0.3
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
0.3
Saccharomyces Lysate
0.3
Achillea Millefolium Extract
0.3
Saccharide Isomerate
0.3
Arginine
0.3
Hydroxyacetophenone
0.3
Butylene Glycol
0.3
Sodium Phytate
0.3
Pentylene Glycol
0.3
Xanthan Gum
0.3
Citric Acid
0.3
Sodium Citrate
0.3
1,2-Hexanediol
0.3
Caprylyl Glycol
0.3
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
2,3-Butanediol
Function:
Origin:
Mandelic Acid
Function:
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Lactic Acid
Function:
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Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Akebia Quinata Stem Extract
Function:
Origin:
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Function:
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Saccharomyces Lysate
Function:
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Achillea Millefolium Extract
Function:
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Saccharide Isomerate
Function:
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Arginine
Function:
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Hydroxyacetophenone
Function:
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Butylene Glycol
Function:
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Sodium Phytate
Function:
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Pentylene Glycol
Function:
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Xanthan Gum
Function:
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Citric Acid
Function:
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Sodium Citrate
Function:
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1,2-Hexanediol
Function:
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Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
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Sodium Benzoate
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Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
2,3-Butanediol
Est. %6.1
Function
Origin
2,3-Butanediol
Mandelic Acid
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Mandelic AcidDerived from almonds, this ingredient is one of the gentlest AHAs and is used for its exfoliating and antimicrobial properties. It is particularly beneficial for acne but also helps to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Lactic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Lactic AcidThe most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %1.9
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract
Akebia Quinata Stem Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Akebia Quinata Stem Extract
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Saccharomyces Lysate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Saccharomyces Lysate
Achillea Millefolium Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Achillea Millefolium ExtractAn extract obtained from the common yarrow. It is full of astringent and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that help with inflamed skin and wound healing, have soothing and refreshing effects on the skin, and give the product a fresh, green, and spicy scent.
Saccharide Isomerate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Saccharide IsomerateA naturally-derived humectant that provides moisturization at low levels and is less sticky than other humectants like glycerin.
Arginine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ArginineA humectant amino acid used to attract water to the skin’s surface. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Arginine can also be used as a pH adjuster.
Hydroxyacetophenone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxyacetophenoneAn antioxidant compound that can be found in many plants, although it is manufactured synthetically for skincare purposes. It can boost the preservative action of other conservants.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene GlycolA clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.
Sodium Phytate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium PhytateSodium phytate is a chelating agent that serves to remove heavy metal ions from water. Removing metal ions helps other ingredients, such as antioxidants and preservatives, to perform better and keep products from separating.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Sodium Citrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium CitrateA salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
1,2-HexanediolA multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.